Shelter tent



Dec. 17, 1963 H`- REXROAT ETAL SHELTER TENT 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Feb.9, 1962 INVENToR. /@fJ/e/ Pexfoa MyWay/f Dec. 17, 1963 H. RExRoAT ETAI.

SHELTER TENT '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 9, 1962 IN V EN TOR. /ffse/Pexfoa BY United States Patent Oice 3,114,376 Patented Dec. 17, 19633,114,376 SHELTER TENT Hershel Rexroat, RR. 2, Valley Center, Kans.Filed Feb. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 172,335 2 Claims. (Cl. 13S-1) The presentinvention relates to a portable shelter and more particularly Vto ashelter tent that can be readily assembled or disassembled as desired orrequired.

An object of the present invention is to provide a shelter tent whichincludes a frame that can be readily put together or taken apart, andwherein the shelter tent also embodies or includes a fabric like coverthat is adapted to surround the frame so that with the parts in theirproper assembled position an enclosure is defined or provided which canbe used for various purposes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shelter tentthat includes a cover for mounting on a frame, and wherein there isprovided in the cover a detachable or removable panel and closure sothat openings can be provided in order to permit a person to gain accessto the interior of the shelter tent, and wherein the shelter tent whencompleted includes a rounded or arcuate portion which is adapted to beused as a convenient roof portion so that rain, snow or the like willnot have a tendency to accumulate thereon whereby the likelihood of theshelter tent collapsing will be minimized or prevented.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portablelightweight shelter tent which can be used for various purposes, as forexample the shelter tent can be conveniently used by hunters, fishermen,hikers, and the like, and wherein the shelter tent can be arranged inseveral different manners so that for example it can be used as a duckblind, and wherein it can also be used conveniently by ice-fishermen,and also the shelter tent can be used as a portable shelter forwatchmen, timekeepers, and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device of thecharacter described that may be assembled speedily and readily withoutany difficulty, and wherein the shelter tent of the present invention iseconomical to manufacture and eiicient in operation and rugged instructure and foolproof in use.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention are to provideimproved elements and arrangements thereof in a device of the characterdescribed that is economical to produce, durable in form, and conduciveto the most economical use of materials and uniformity of members formedtherefrom.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent in thesubsequent description in the specification.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the shelter tent of the presentinvention, with portions of the cover broken away and in section forclarity of illustration.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of FIGURE1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3 3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4 4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the shelter tent showing the sheltertent arranged on end and guyed in place.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional View showing the lower end of theshelter tent positioned over a hole in ice.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing portions of the framedisassembled.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates theshelter tent of the present invention in its entirety and wherein theshelter tent 1d is shown to comprise a knock down frame that isindicated generally by the numeral 11. The frame 11 embodies first,second, third and fourth spaced parallel crosspieces which are indicatedgenerally by the numerals 12, 13, 14 and 15. Each of these crosspieceshas generally the same construction so that a description of one willsuice for all. Thus, each crosspiece embodies a pair of tubular members16 that are arranged in end to end aligned relation with respect to eachother, and sleeves or couplings 13 overlap adjacent end portions of thetubular members 16 for joining the members 16 together. The coupling orsleeve 18 may be secured to one of the members 16 as by welding at thepoint 17, and the other tubular member 16 may be tted in the coupling orsleeve 18 with a snug fit.

There is mounted on the outer ends of the tubular members 16 fittings19, and as shown in FIGURE 1 for example the frame includes end pieces20, 21 and 22 which are operatively connected to the fittings 19. Theend piece 20 consists of a straight tubular element 23, and the endpiece 22 embodies a pair of aligned end to end tubular elements 24 whichhave their adjacent end portions jointed together as at 13. The otherend piece 21 consists of an arcuate or curbed tubular element 2S whichis adapted to be joined to a short straight element 25 by means of asleeve or coupling 18.

The shelter tent 10 of the present invention further includes a fabriclike covering which is indicated by the numeral 27, and the covering 27embodies a rounded portion 23, and the cover 27 further includes spacedparallel end portions 29 and 30 as well as body portions 31 and 32 thatare arranged at right angles with respect to each other. The bodyportion 32 is provided with a removable panel 33 which is adapted to beheld in place as for example by means of a slide fastener 34.

The end portion 30 of the cover 27 is provided with a flap or smallpanel 35 which is releasably held in place by means of a slide fastener36. By unfastening the slide fastener 36, the panel 35 can be moved asfor example to the position shown in FIGURE 6 so as to expose an opening37 which is especialy convenient or handy for use in ice fishing as forexample when fishing through a hole such as the hole 39 in the ice 30that is arranged about a body of water 40. Y

Attention is now directed to FIGURE 5 of the drawings, wherein theshelter tent is shown supported on one end thereof instead of beingarranged as shown in FIG- URE 1. In the arrangement of FIGURE 5, theshelter tent 1l) is adapted to be stabilized or supported as for exampleby means of guy lines 42 which can be fastened to apertured tabs 41 onthe cover 27, and the lower ends of the guy lines 42 may be anchored tothe ground 44 as at 43.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided ashelter tent which is adapted to be used in a plurality of dierentmanners, and in use with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, itwill be seen that the shelter tent can be readily assembled ordisassembled as desired or required. Thus, when the device is notneeded, it can be readily taken apart and it will therefore occupy asmall amount of space, so that it can be conveniently carried on astation wagon, truck, car or the like, and wherein it will occupy aminimum amount of space for storage or shipment.

When the device is to be used, it can be readily assembled and it is tobe noted that the shelter tent 10 coniprises the frame 11 which embodiesmembers or parts that can be readily fitted together and maintained inits proper assembled position, and the frame 11 serves to support thecover 27 thereon. The cover 27 may be made of any suitable material suchas canvas, suitable plastic material or the like, and with the cover 27assembled and mounted on the frame 11, it will be seen that thecompleted article includes a rounded portion 28 andere which isadvantageous since it helps insure, that rain, snow or the like will notaccumulate on the roof of the shelter tent whereby it will be lesslikelihood of the tent of collapsing from overweight of such rain orsnow thereon.

The slide fastener 34 can be readily manually actuated in order todisconnect all or a part of the panel 33 whereby a convenient openingwill be provided or exposed in the portion 32 of the cover so that suchan opening can be used as a means of access to the interior of thedevice as well as a means of egress from the device, r, such an openingcan be used as a means of permitting ventilation to properly take placeso that person can remain in the enclosure with maximum comfort. Inaddition the panel or closure 35 can be partially opened or entirelymoved as for example by properly manually moving the slide fastener 36,and the opening 37 exposed by the panel 35 can be used for any desiredpurpose, as for example it can be used as shown in FIG- URE 6 wherein afishing line can be extended down through the opening 37 in order topermit a person to ice fish through the hole 39 and the ice 30 whenattempting to catch fish in the water 40. When such ice fishing is beingattempted, the shelter tent may be arranged as shown in FIGURE insteadof as shown in FIGURE l, and with the device arranged as shown in FIGURE5, the end portion 3? is at the bottom thereof, and the guy lines 42 areadapted to be used for stabilizing or steadying the shelter tent when itis on its end portion 30. The guy lines 42 can be anchored to the groundftd as at 43, and the upper ends of the guy lines 42 can be fastened tothe tabs 41 on the cover 27.

The members such as the members 12, 13, 114, and are made up of alignedelements 16 that are interconnected by the sleeve or coupling i8, andthis coupling 18 is secured as by welding as at 17 to one of theelements 16 while the other element 16 may telescope therein. Or, thesleeve 18 may be made so'that tits snugly on the adjacent end portionsof the elements i6 and wherein the sleeve 13 may be made so that it canbe entirely removed from the element 16 if desired or required. The endportions of the elements I6 are adapted to snugly engage the fittings I9at the corners of the device as shown in the drawings. The parts arearranged so that the cover 27 can be entirely separated from the frameas for example when the device is disassembled and not in use.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapesor sizes.

It will therefore be seen that according to the present invention thatthere has been provided a portable lightweight shelter tent which can beused for many different purposes, as for example the shelter tent of thepresent invention can be used by hunters, fishermen, hikers, packers orthe like, and in addition the device can be used as shown in FIGURE l orelse it can be stood on end as shown in FIGURE 5, and the device can beused as a folding chair for a duck blind or other types of blinds, andit can also be used on end for ice fishermen as shown in FIGURE 6. Inaddition, it can be used as a portable shelter for watchmen,timekeepers, and the like and it can be used at night as a place inwhich to sleep. When used on end as shown in FIGURE 5 it can be stakeddown by guy ropes or lines 42, and one end of the cover has the eyeletsor tabs 4l whereby the guy ropes can be fastened thereto. The device canbe readily and conveniently packed so that it can be transported in aplane, vehicle, boat or the like and it will occupy a very little spacewhen disassembled and it will be light in weight, and the frame can betaken apart or disassembled and folded inside of the cover 27. Thevarious parts of the frame are adapted to be made of a suitable materialsuch as half-inch aluminum or lightweight steel tubing. When the partsare assembled, the coupling or sleeve i3 is adapted to receive adjacentends of the elements such as the elements 16 so as to maintain the partsproperly connected, and the number of these couplings and the like canbe varied as desired or required. The cover 27 can be made of a suitablematerial such as canvas or other lightweight waterproof material, and inaddition camouflage material may be used as for example when the deviceis being used for a blind, and the cover is adapted to have aconstruction so that it will t the frame snugly and properly, and withthe parts arranged as shown in FlGURE l the slide fastener 34 can beused for openinfy the panel 33 so that ventilation to the interior ofthe shelter tent can be readily controlled, and also the panel 33 can beused to expose an opening that can be used for entering or leaving theshelter tent. When the device is being assembled, the frame is properlyput together and the cover is then slipped over the frame. The device isadapted to be made of different sizes and for example it can be made toaccommodate one or more persons therein, and the device can be assembledand disassembled in a very short period of time.

It is noted that the completed shelter tent, when in the position ofFIGURE l for example, includes the rounded portion Z3 whereby there willbe no formation of pockets to trap water, snow or the like on the roofportion, and this sloping roof like portion 28 is thereforeadvantageous. The cover may be made of any suitable materials such as aplastic, canvas or other suitable material. The present invention istherefore a complete shelter and wherein the device can be assembled ordisassembled without requiring the use of any special tools or specialskill, and the device includes a means for selectively exposing orcovering an opening as for example due to the provision of the movablepanel 33 so that persons can readily enter or leave the shelter.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming withinthe field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, ifdesired.

What is claimed is:

l. A shelter tent comprising a frame including first, second, third andfourth spaced apart crosspieces, each of said crosspieces embodying apair of tubular members arranged in end to end aligned relation withrespect to each other, sleeves overlapping adjacent end portions of saidtubular members for connecting the tubular members together, a fittingaffixed to the outer end of each tubular member, endpieces affixed tosaid fittings, one of said endpieces consisting of a straight tubularelement, another endpiece consisting of a pair of aligned end to endtubular elements having their adjacent end portions fastened together byan overlapping sleeve, and the other endpiece consisting of an arcuatetubular element joined to a short element by means of a sleeve joint,and a fabric like cover surrounding said frame, said cover includingspaced parallel end portions, a pair of body portions arranged at rightangles with respect to each other, and said cover further including anarcuate body section, one of said body portions of the cover having alarge removable panel therein adapted to be held in place by a slidefastener.

2. A shelter tent comprising a frame including first, second, third andfourth spaced apart crosspieces, each of said crosspieces embodying apair of tubular members arranged in end to end aligned relation withrespect to each other, sleeves overlapping adjacent end portions of saidtubular members for connecting the tubular members together, a fittingafiixed to the outer end of each tubular member, endpieces afiixed tosaid fittings, one of said endpieces consisting of a straight tubularelement, another endpiece consisting of a pair of aligned end to endtubular elements having their adjacent end portions fastened together byan overlapping sleeve, and the other endpiece consisting of an arcuatetubular element joined to a short element by means of a sleeve joint,and a fabric like cover surrounding said frame, said cover includingspaced parallel end portions, a pair of body References Cited in the ieof this patent UNITED STATES PATENT S Kennedy et a1 May 13, 1913Kattinann July 7, 1931 Benson Ian. 1, 1946 Denn Nov. 22, 1949 Frieder etal Feb. 14, 1950 Reynoids Aug. 28, 1962 Seaman et al. Sept. 4, 1962

1. A SHELTER TENT COMPRISING A FRAME INCLUDING FIRST, SECOND, THIRD ANDFOURTH SPACED APART CROSSPIECES, EACH OF SAID CROSSPIECES EMBODYING APAIR OF TUBULAR MEMBERS ARRANGED IN END TO END ALIGNED RELATION WITHRESPECT TO EACH OTHER, SLEEVES OVERLAPPING ADJACENT END PORTIONS OF SAIDTUBULAR MEMBERS FOR CONNECTING THE TUBULAR MEMBERS TOGETHER, A FITTINGAFFIXED TO THE OUTER END OF EACH TUBULAR MEMBER, ENDPIECES AFFIXED TOSAID FITTINGS, ONE OF SAID ENDPIECES CONSISTING OF A STRAIGHT TUBULARELEMENT, ANOTHER ENDPIECE CONSISTING OF A PAIR OF ALIGNED END TO ENDTUBULAR ELEMENTS HAVING THEIR ADJACENT END PORTIONS FASTENED TOGETHER BYAN OVERLAPPING SLEEVE, AND THE OTHER ENDPIECE CONSISTING OF AN ARCUATETUBULAR ELEMENT JOINED TO A SHORT ELEMENT BY MEANS OF A SLEEVE JOINT,AND A FABRIC LIKE COVER SURROUNDING SAID FRAME, SAID COVER INCLUDINGSPACED PARALLEL END PORTIONS, A PAIR OF BODY PORTIONS ARRANGED AT RIGHTANGLES WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, AND SAID COVER FURTHER INCLUDING ANARCUATE BODY SECTION, ONE OF SAID BODY PORTIONS OF THE COVER HAVING ALARGE REMOVABLE PANEL THEREIN ADAPTED TO BE HELD IN PLACE BY A SLIDEFASTENER.